The Polyurethane Foam Association, based in Loudon, Tennessee, announced today it has prepared the position paper “What Regulators Need to Know” to clarify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently proposed Significant New Use Rule pertaining to toluene diisocyanate use in consumer goods. TDI is a raw material used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam.
The paper explains why there is no risk of exposure to toluene diisocyanate to consumers using finished products that may contain flexible polyurethane foam, such as mattresses, upholstered furniture, pillows and car seats.
“The recent EPA proposal to regulate new uses for TDI in consumer products may be confusing to some readers,” said Robert Luedeka, PFA executive director. “While TDI is used as a basic raw material in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam, the TDI raw material is reacted in the foaming process, becoming a harmless polymer. After foam has been produced, including a cure cycle, numerous tests show that there is no remaining TDI available for possible exposure. While the EPA document clearly states that cured polyurethane foam products are not expected to provide opportunity for exposure, the language in the document may be confusing and should be clarified for those who are not familiar with polyurethane foam production and foam products.”
“Part of the confusion may come from the fact that there are many types of polyurethane products,” Luedeka continued. “Some polyurethanes, such as certain glues, adhesives and coatings, may involve ‘2-part’ components that are mixed and chemically reacted when used by consumers. Some of these component parts may contain raw diisocyanates. Use of TDI in 2-part consumer products is rare, as TDI is a known irritant and there are reports of some people developing asthma-like symptoms as a result of exposure. Special precautions are needed where there is potential for TDI exposure. However, the type of soft, flexible, polyurethane foam used to cushion mattresses, furniture and car seats is an entirely different type of polyurethane product. In this application, there are no raw materials available in cured foam products and no potential for contact with TDI.”
The PFA position paper, “What Regulators Need to Know,” is designed to be an easy-to-understand reference summarizing scientific research, along with a chart that explains the important differences between three families of polyurethane foam products.
Read the position paper at www.pfa.org/issues.
